Need is to preserve a heart for at least 9 hours: Dr KR Balakrishnan

Q After a gap of 47 years, Mumbai created history by conducting a heart transplant.
A There are so many patients across the country waiting for a heart transplant. A smooth heart transplant procedure requires a good organ-sharing network at the state level. Tamil Nadu has a dedicated government-run organ-sharing network. Whenever they get an organ, the doctors and hospitals who are part of this programme, immediately get SMS about it. The state should create more awareness about organ donation as this will help needy people.

Q How safe is the procedure?
A The procedure is like any other surgery. There are skilled and trained surgeons for this across the country. The issue of co-ordination between the hospital and the organ-sharing agency is very important. Because when you get the organ, you should be ready with all the things, including logistics. After heart transplant, a patient can survive for more than 20 years. The success of the procedure can be decided only after a patient survives for at least one year. I have done 54 heart transplant procedures and our hospital's success rate is 93% — it's as good as international standards.

Q Is a green corridor needed every time?
A A green corridor is not possible every time. Currently, we have to conduct a heart transplant procedure within four hours from the time the organ is harvested. Now, we are working on a special solution for organ care. This solution, which is being made in the country, will be very cheap and in which the heart can be kept at least for nine hours.

Q How many patients are waiting in your state?
A I don't know about the heart transplant wait list, but as per the government registry, since 2008 at least 137 heart transplant procedures have been done in Tamil Nadu. In our hospital, 18 patients had registered for the heart transplant procedure.